Abstract: A plasma activated biochar filter is provided. In another aspect, Fluorine-based reactive gas is used in a plasma reactor to activate biochar. A further aspect employs a substrate flocked with plasma activated biochar. Yet another aspect employs plasma activated and fluorinated biochar on a porous substrate to act as an oil-fluid separating filter.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods including software processes for developing test cases for testing robustness of AI-based image-recognition models-under-test (MUTs) with respect to types of image variation transformations. The system may generate various types of robustness metrics for the MUT and output user-readable reports about the MUT's performance. The system trains machine-learning architectures to generate test cases including augmented images according to the types of image transformations, applies the IR MUTs, and then evaluates the image feature vector embeddings and predicted classification produced by the IR MUTs to determine the accuracy of the MUT with respect to each type of transformation.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus is provided. Another aspect pertains to a self-leveling polishing apparatus for smoothing diamonds. Yet another aspect of the present system uses a ball and swivel joint in a diamond polishing machine. A further aspect employs a polishing apparatus including a diamond-holder, an elongated arm using gravity to apply downward polishing pressure of the diamond workpiece against a polishing wheel, and a sweeping transmission to cause the holder to radially move across the rotating polishing wheel.

Abstract: A method comprising providing a carbonaceous material, the substrate having a first thermal conductivity. The method further comprises depositing a first masking layer having a second thermal conductivity on at least a portion of the substrate, a ratio of the second thermal conductivity to the first thermal conductivity being less than or equal to 1:30. The method further comprises depositing a second masking layer on the first masking layer to form an etch mask, and etching an exposed portion of the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biogel nanosensor for detection of an analyte that includes an acryloyl or methacryloyl modified hydrogel and nucleic acid amplification reagents in picoliter or nanoliter volume in the form of microarray. Also disclosed are methods of making the disclosed biogel nanosensor, and methods of using the biogel nanosensors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for synthesizing a diamond using a diamond synthesis machine. A processor receives a plurality of images of a diamond during synthesis within a diamond synthesis machine, each of the plurality of images captured within a time period. The processor executes a diamond state prediction machine learning model using the plurality of images to obtain a predicted data object, the predicted data object indicating a predicted state of the diamond within the diamond synthesis machine at a time subsequent to the time period. The processor detects a predicted defect, a number of defects, defect types, and/or sub-features of such defects and/or other characteristics (e.g., a predicted shape, size, and/or other properties of predicted contours for the diamond and/or pocket holder) of the predicted state of the diamond. The processor adjusts operation of the diamond synthesis machine.

Abstract: A polishing apparatus is provided. Another aspect pertains to a self-leveling polishing apparatus for smoothing diamonds. Yet another aspect of the present system uses a ball and swivel joint in a diamond polishing machine. A further aspect employs a polishing apparatus including a diamond-holder, an elongated arm using gravity to apply downward polishing pressure of the diamond workpiece against a polishing wheel, and a sweeping transmission to cause the holder to radially move across the rotating polishing wheel.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for synthesizing a diamond using a diamond synthesis machine. A processor receives a plurality of images of a diamond during synthesis within a diamond synthesis machine, each of the plurality of images captured within a time period. The processor executes a diamond state prediction machine learning model using the plurality of images to obtain a predicted data object, the predicted data object indicating a predicted state of the diamond within the diamond synthesis machine at a time subsequent to the time period. The processor detects a predicted defect, a number of defects, defect types, and/or sub-features of such defects and/or other characteristics (e.g., a predicted shape, size, and/or other properties of predicted contours for the diamond and/or pocket holder) of the predicted state of the diamond. The processor adjusts operation of the diamond synthesis machine.

Abstract: A fusion protein comprising a target protein, a first recombinant viral coat protein, a second recombinant viral coat protein and a first linkage peptide is provided. The target protein is at N-terminus of the first recombinant viral coat protein. The first recombinant viral coat protein is linked to N-terminus of the first linkage peptide. The second recombinant viral coat protein is linked to C-terminus of the first linkage peptide. The first and second recombinant viral coat proteins are derived from the coat protein (CP) of alfalfa mosaic virus (AIMV). The fusion protein may further comprise a second linkage peptide between the target protein and the first recombinant viral coat protein. The fusion protein may form a virus like particle (VLP). The target protein may be displayed on the surface of the VLP. Also provided are methods for producing the fusion protein and the VLP as well as the uses of the fusion protein and/or the VLP.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for pretreating a sample for metals determination.

Abstract: Systems and methods for characterization of retrofit opportunities are described. Some embodiments are directed to methods for determining the air leakage rate of a building, and accordingly, for determining suitability of sealing of air leaks to improve the energy efficiency of a building. The methods may comprise computing, using at least one computing device disposed remote from a building and based at least in part on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) runtime data associated with the building, one or more thermal characteristics of the building. The HVAC runtime data may be computed based on data received from a thermostat or a meter, such as an electric or a gas meter. To isolate the impact of air leakage, subsets of the HVAC runtime data at time intervals selected to have substantially the same conditions, but different wind speeds, may be computed.

Abstract: An automatic plant tissue sampler and a method for operating the same are provided. The sampler can include a plant handler configured to transport a plurality of plants to an imager. The imager may be configured to image plants to identify a sampling location. The automatic plant tissue sampler also includes a sampler configured to remove a tissue sample from the sampling location of plants, and a collection vessel configured to receive the tissue samples. The automatic plant tissue sampler may transport a plurality of plants to an imager and images the plurality of plants to identify a sampling location. The automatic plant tissue sampler can remove a tissue sample from the sampling location of the plurality of plants and store the tissue samples in a collection vessel for testing.

Abstract: Particles offering multiple doses of an active agent to a subject via a single administration of the active agent to the subject are provided. The particles comprise multiple layers, including two dosing layers each having the active agent and an intervening layer that separates the two dosing layers, and provide a first dose of the active agent from the dosing layer covering the intervening layer upon exposure to an aqueous environment after the particles are administered to the subject, and later a second dose of the active agent from the dosing layer covered by the intervening layer after the intervening layer degrades in the body of the subject. Methods for preparing the particles are also provided. Methods for treating or preventing a disease or disorder in a subject in need thereof with two or more doses of an active agent via a single administration to the subject are further provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a biogel nanosensor for detection of an analyte that includes an acryloyl or methacryloyl modified hydrogel and nucleic acid amplification reagents in picoliter or nanoliter volume in the form of microarray. Also disclosed are methods of making the disclosed biogel nanosensor, and methods of using the biogel nanosensors.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an aspiration assembly for attaching to an endoscope. The aspiration assembly comprises an extendable suction tube for aspirating an object (e.g., smoke, blood, blood clot, bone debris, or tissue debris) at or near a surgical site during an endoscopic surgery. The aspiration assembly can further comprise an irrigation tube for directing a fluid to the surgical site for cleaning the endoscope lens. By integrating an extendable suction tube with the endoscope, the technology described herein obviate the need for instrument switching and/or multiple surgeons during the surgery.

Abstract: A pipetting device includes a housing, a valve assembly, and an actuator assembly. The housing includes a tip for receiving a capillary tube. The valve assembly includes a shuttle valve having a filling position and a dispensing position and a valve rod. The actuator assembly includes an actuator, a valve trigger, a piston mount, and an indexing mechanism. The actuator extends from the housing and has a push button coupled to a push rod. The valve trigger being configured to engage the valve assembly and includes an aperture configured to receive the piston mount therein. The indexing mechanism is configured to index a rotated position of the push button to a predefined volume of dispensed fluid.

Abstract: A novel lantibiotic peptide and a composition comprising the peptide in an antimicrobial effective amount are provided. A method for preparing the composition from a medium into which host cells produce the peptide is also provided. A method of inhibiting growth of microbial cells, killing microbial cells or treating a subject infected by microbial cells, comprising administering to the microbial cells or the subject an effective amount of the peptide or the composition is further provided. Where the microbial cells are on a surface, the method may further comprise administering the peptide or the composition to the surface.

Abstract: An electrode apparatus and method remove a polarized molecule in a fluid. In another aspect, a non-uniform electric field is created between an anode and a cathode, the fluid flows within a gap between the cathode and the anode, and the polarized molecule is driven by an electrostatic force to and adsorbed on the anode without experiencing a chemical reaction.

Abstract: Systems and methods for characterization of retrofit opportunities are described. The methods may comprise computing, using at least one computing device disposed remote from a building and based at least in part on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) runtime data associated with the building, one or more thermal characteristics of the building. In some embodiments, a model-predicted indoor temperature may be fitted against thermal data measured by a thermostat at the building. The thermal characteristic of the building may comprise a thermal insulation, an air leakage rate and/or an HVAC efficiency. The method may be used to determine, using the at least one computing device, suitability of the building for a retrofit opportunity to improve energy efficiency of the building. Determining the suitability may comprise evaluating the one or more thermal characteristics. The HVAC runtime data may be computed based on data received from a thermostat or a meter, such as an electric or a gas meter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for characterization of retrofit opportunities are described. The methods may comprise computing, using at least one computing device disposed remote from a building and based at least in part on heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) runtime data associated with the building, one or more thermal characteristics of the building. In some embodiments, a model-predicted indoor temperature may be fitted against thermal data measured by a thermostat at the building. The thermal characteristic of the building may comprise a thermal insulation, an air leakage rate and/or an HVAC efficiency. The method may be used to determine, using the at least one computing device, suitability of the building for a retrofit opportunity to improve energy efficiency of the building. Determining the suitability may comprise evaluating the one or more thermal characteristics. The HVAC runtime data may be computed based on data received from a thermostat or a meter, such as an electric or a gas meter.